CalMac sails in to support Butefest

Ferry operator CalMac is helping people tune in to the Isle of Bute's first music festival this weekend (July 17, 18 19)

The ferry operator is the lead sponsor for the event supporting the festival's CalMac Culture Introducing Stage and providing logistical help to transport acts and their support teams to and from the event.

With the BBC set to film on the opening Friday all the signs are that the weekend is going to one of the highlights of the island's calendar. Butefest brings a packed programme of live bands, a celebration of local food and drink and entertainment for all the family across the weekend.

"As an integrated part of the communities we serve, it's pleasure to support this inaugural Butefest. This is just of more than 100 events we are lending our support to this year across our network," said CalMac's marketing manager, Peter Griffiths.

"We are looking forward to welcoming on board the 2000 plus visitors expected on the island this weekend and adding to their experience of visiting one of the Clyde's most popular destinations."

The line up includes some well know faces and some of the country's best up and coming acts including the Peatbog Faeries, The Treacherous Orchestra, Skerryvore, Stanley Odd, Federation of the Disco Pimps, The John Langan Band, Sinderins, We Banjo 3, Merryhell, Woodenbox.

It's firmly a family friendly, community organised event, with a range of entertainment organised for kids of all ages throughout the three day festival. Organisers are even going for a world record attempt - the largest human image of a boat.

As part of VisitScotland's Year of Food and Drink 2015, some of the best local producers including the Bute Brew Co, Henshelwood Foods and Winston Churchill Venison will all be showcasing their wares. For thirsty festival goers, bars will also be stocked with some of Scotland's best craft beers and ciders.

"ButeFest is an incredibly exciting new festival for the Isle of Bute, where we pride ourselves on a long tradition of celebrating music and culture from our Pavilion to the annual Jazz Festival.

"We are Scotland's most accessible island with a ferry service to be proud of running at least hourly for up to 15 hours a day. We look forward to welcoming people to Bute for a packed three days of music, food, drink and even a world record-attempt," said festival organiser," Emma Cooper, Festival organiser

The isle of Bute is easy to get to with CalMac Ferries via Wemyss Bay on the Ayrshire coast or or Colintraive on the Cowal Peninsula. Tickets are still available at just £65 for the full three days including optional complementary camping. Buy them at www.butefest.co.uk

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Notes to editor:

About Caledonian MacBrayne:

Last year, Caledonian MacBrayne, operator of the UK's largest ferry network, carried 4.65million people, 1.1million cars, 11,000 coaches and 93,000 commercial vehicles to the mainland destinations and 24 islands served by its ferries on 130,000 separate sailings the length and breadth of a 200-mile area.www.calmac.co.uk